Free Bus Travel: CM to Launch Stree Shakti Scheme at PNBS Today
Naidu will launch the scheme at the Pandit Nehru Bus Station in the presence of alliance leaders.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will launch the flagship Sthree Sakthi free RTC bus travel scheme for women in the state at an event here on Friday.
On the eve of its launch, Naidu said the TD-led state government “is successfully implementing the Super Six schemes and is now set to roll out another scheme from the same list.” On this Independence Day, “women will be freed from the burden of travel expenses,” he said.
The CM will launch the scheme at the Pandit Nehru Bus Station in the presence of alliance leaders.
Naidu said the transport department and APSRTC have madenecessary arrangements, including the software support to issue zero-fare tickets to women passengers.
Around 2.62 crore women would benefit from this scheme. Out of the total 11,449 buses under APSRTC, 74 per cent will be enlisted for this purpose. The government has also extended the scheme’s benefit to transgender persons.
Government estimates show that women travel, on average, four times a week by bus, while working women travel daily. Initially, the proposals were to implement Sthree Sakthi only in City, PalleVelugu and Ultra PalleVelugu buses. However, the government has extended the scheme to Express and Metro Express buses as well.
The scheme would cost APSRTC approximately `1,942 crore annually, which will be reimbursed to it by the government.
